Key opener



June 12, 1934. E K 1,963,006

KEY OPENER Filed Feb. 10. 1932 Patented June 12, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

" of a can, or in case the can is not provided with a handle to a rubber band or the like fastened around the can.

A further object is to provide a simple inexpensive key opener which is preferably constructed of but one piece of heavy round wire,

the wire being bent in such form as to open cans provided with rip strips and the same wire being further provided with a flattened portion to serve after the fashion of a screw-driver for i201 pening friction top cans.

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this application and in which like parts are employed to designate like parts in all views,

Figure 1 is a plan View of my improved key T; opener;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a can provided with a friction top showing the key opener as applied for prying off a lid, and also showing, in dotted lines, the key opener as at- BOJtached to the handle;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a can provided with a rip strip and showing the application of the key opener for tearing or ripping open the same;

Figure 4 is an elevational view of a can provided with a band for carrying the key opener, and

Figure 5 is a fragmentary side elevation of the can opener.

In the drawing wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 5 designates the key opener which embodies but a single length of heavy round wire which is bent to form a U- shaped or doubled shank 6 to define the slot 7.

While the wire is preferably round it may be of any desired shape. The free ends of the shank 6 converge outwardly as at 8 so as to provide the inwardly bent hooks 9 and a guideway or gap 5019. As will be apparent, these hooks are adapted for hanging the key opener on a handle, band or the like so as to be ready for use at any time. The hooks further serve as gripping portions for the fingers when the key opener is used.

.551 upon rip strip cans.

The lower extremity of the shank 6 is flattened at the bend portion and provides a prying surface or point 10 which serves after the fashion of a screw-driver for opening friction top cans. Above the flattened portion 10 the shank is, of course, thickened, or rounded. This provides a sturdy key opener and one that cannot bend or break easily, and gives the desired rigidity to the opener when prying off can tops or tearing off rip strips.

In Figure 2 is shown the opener as applied to a friction top can, 12 denotes the can, 13 the friction top, and 12 the handle or bail. It will be obvious that in order to open the top 13 the flattened portion 10 of the opener 5 is urged in between the top and the can thus easily prying the lid off. It will be also noted in dotted lines that the opener can be easily attached to the handle 12 by one of the hooks 9 which can be handily carried thereby.

Figure 3 shows the conventional type of rip strip can which comprises the body portion 14 and the rip strip 15 having the tongue 16. To open such a can all that is necessary is to insert the tongue 16 in the groove '7 formed by the doubled or U-shaped shank 6 and twist the key until the can is opened.

Figure 4 shows a way of attaching the key opener to cans which have no handles. 17 is the body of the can and secured to it in any desirable way is a member 18 which may be a rubber. band, spring or metal loop. The opener 5 is attached to the band by inserting the band 18 through the guideway or gap 9' and catching the band in the hooks 9. It will be seen that by such means it is difficult to accidentally dislodge the opener from the band.

It will be apparent from the foregoing description that I have provided a very simple, yet efficient and practical key opener. With such a device handy it will cause one to put covers on tighter after the can has been opened and will save a lot of spoilage. Heretofore one was apt to put friction tops on lightly since it is quite difficult to remove the cover without adequate means.

It is to be noted that the inwardly bent hooks 9 practically touch each other. Such a feature is desirable when fastening the opener to a handle or the like to prevent the device from slipping off. The arms 8, 8, as will be apparent, provide a spring effect tension to the hooks thus keeping the hooks in their normal association. When the opener is attached to a handle or the like the handle enters through the guideway 9' A key opener comprising a single wire bent to form a doubled shank, the bent portion of said shank being flattened, the ends of the shank adjacent the flattened portion diverging outwardly and then inwardly to form a pair of tensioned hooks in relatively close proximity, the ends of said hooks extending inwardly toward the flattened bent portion and diverging outwardly to form a guide for the easy removal of the opener when hung on a bail.

OSCAR WEEK. 

